Top 5 Haight-Ashbury Outdoor Activities: A Local’s Guide

Haight-Ashbury, so, it’s more than just vintage shops and groovy history, is that right? It’s actually got some fantastic outdoor spots that are perfect for a sunny afternoon. We’re taking a peek at five outdoor activities you should totally try. These are all things that, you know, locals love and visitors will too, to be honest. Whether you’re into strolling, or maybe you prefer exploring or perhaps chilling out, there’s definitely something here for everyone!

Golden Gate Park: A Huge Playground

Golden Gate Park, it’s nearly a stone’s throw from Haight-Ashbury, anyway it’s definitely number one on this list for very, very good reason. This massive green space is basically bigger than Central Park in New York, actually that is true. Seriously, you could spend days here and you still wouldn’t see everything, okay. So, what makes it awesome? First, there are the gardens. The Japanese Tea Garden, now it’s gorgeous with its pagodas and koi ponds, but the Botanical Garden, that too, is incredible for flower gazing.

Then there’s Stow Lake. you know, that is a very relaxing place. You can rent a paddleboat, actually it is something I like to do sometimes, too and circle around Strawberry Hill, the little island in the middle. So, you could try your hand at spotting turtles. After that, why not pack a picnic and find a quiet spot on the lawn near the Conservatory of Flowers? The Victorian architecture there is almost a perfect backdrop for chilling out, isn’t it?

If you’re the active kind, well there are miles and miles of walking and biking trails, but they’re worth the trek. You can rent a bike near the entrance of the park, actually you can. I will say you could go explore hidden paths. Golden Gate Park has museums, music venues, gardens, lakes and more. As a matter of fact you won’t be disappointed!

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Panhandle Park: Your Local Green Escape

Panhandle Park is pretty much the chill neighbor next to Golden Gate Park, almost in a way, actually I believe it technically connects, or am I wrong. Okay, so it’s a long, narrow strip of green that stretches right into the Haight. It’s really great because it feels very local. You will likely not run into swarms of tourists here, basically.

People, actually they just come here to relax under the trees, read books, throw frisbees, maybe walk their dogs, right. It’s dog-friendly, actually which is a plus if you have a furry friend. The Panhandle is actually pretty great for a morning jog, too. You can, you know, get a decent workout without fighting the crowds. There’s usually a coffee shop or a cafe very nearby, basically on Haight Street. It is something you can easily walk to afterwards to grab a latte or pastry or maybe even that post-jog treat.

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Hippie Hill: Sunset Vibes and Drum Circles

Inside Golden Gate Park, and actually, I’m pretty sure, near Haight-Ashbury is Hippie Hill. I could be wrong, right? This spot is famous because of the, you know, historical counterculture movements in the 60s. You can feel that vibe, actually still, really.

Come here during sunset, maybe it will be quite the experience. Usually there’s impromptu drum circles and groups of people jamming with guitars. People just bring blankets and drinks, as a matter of fact they sit and enjoy the view. The atmosphere, now it’s something like super chill and friendly, but also a little bit unpredictable in some respects, which can make for some, shall we say, memorable experiences.

You can climb up there with your buddies, or your like your sweetie or you, too can be all by yourself, I guess, and watch Karl the Fog or whatever it is roll over the city, actually that is one of my favorite times to people-watch.

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Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve: Hidden Hiking Gem

Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve, and you will notice I said ‘Open Space’, okay, so, maybe it is still considered, you know, Haight-Ashbury-ish because it is like super close, really, okay? So, if you’re craving a hike without leaving the city, yet here’s your place. Seriously, this little bit of forest right in the middle of San Francisco is nearly something. A bit, now the trails, they can get a little steep in places, however that’s the way it is.

I will say though, it’s so nice, and they provide an escape into nature with surprisingly awesome views. The fog, so, it drifts through the trees giving the space almost something magical.

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Buena Vista Park: City Views and Nature Trails

Buena Vista Park, and actually this place is one of San Francisco’s oldest parks. Right? It offers some of the killer city views. Now there, anyway, that does involve a climb to get to those great panoramas.

So, the trails wind through groves of trees, but these make the place feel kinda secluded. Even better the fact is that it’s smack-dab in the center of everything. That being said, it’s one place where it’s nearly easy to just switch off for a while. Also you will spot lots of dog walkers because they absolutely are dog-friendly there!

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